Method and apparatus for efficiently delivering supplementary services to multi-technology capable wireless transmit/receive units

ABSTRACT

A method for operation by a wireless device may comprise transmitting a request for capability information to a WTRU. In response, the wireless device may receive the requested capability information from the WTRU. The capability information may include an indication of support for video conferencing and an indication of one or more supported messaging capabilities. Based on the supported messaging capabilities, the wireless device may transmit a data message to the WTRU.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/208,126, filed on Dec. 3, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/807,173, filed on Jul. 23, 2015, which isa continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/014,905, filed onAug. 30, 2013, which was issued on Jul. 28, 2015 as U.S. Pat. No.9,094,930, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/880,696, filed on Jun. 30, 2004, which issued on Sep. 3, 2013 as U.S.Pat. No. 8,526,978, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/515,479 filed on Oct. 29, 2003, which areincorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to wireless communication systems. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to delivery of services tomulti-technology capable wireless transmit/receive units.

BACKGROUND

Although the meanings of the following acronyms are well understood byskilled artisans, the following list is deemed to assist in a betterunderstanding of the invention:

3GPP third generation partnership project

AAA authentication, authorization, and accounting

AP access point

CCF charging control function

CSCF call state control function

EIR equipment identity register

GGSN gateway GPRS support node

GMSC gateway MSC

GPRS general packet radio system

GSM global system for mobile communication

HLR home location register

HSS home subscriber server

IP internet protocol

IWMSC interworking MSC for SMS

MMS multi-media services

MS mobile station

MSC mobile switching station

PDG packet data gateway

PHY physical layer

PDA personal digital assistant

SC service center

SIM subscriber identity module

SMS short messaging service

TCP transmission control protocol

UMTS universal mobile telecommunications system

VoIP voice over internet protocol

WAG wireless application gateway

WAT wireless access technology

WLAN wireless local area network

WTRU wireless transmit/receive unit

The trend in the wireless industry is to increasingly support wirelesstransmit/receive units (WTRUs) that support multiple Wireless AccessTechnologies (WATs) in heterogeneous networks. Network interworkingintroduces the possibility of several WATs (e.g., several differenttypes of wireless local area networks) such 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g,etc. being connected to a cellular type network (e.g., a UniversalMobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network). Further, usingsubscriber identity module (SIM) technology, users may switch their802.11b card to an 802.11a card, for example, or any other type ofmulti-mode card using their SIM to access the network while the networkis not totally aware of the WAT supported at the WTRU level.Additionally, users may use their 802.11 cards, for example, indifferent types of WTRUs, such as when they obtain a new laptop orpersonal digital assistant (PDA), for example.

In light of the above, it is desirable to efficiently handle varioustypes of wireless services across multiple WATs for WTRUs that mayoperate in cellular and WLAN type networks.

SUMMARY

A method and system for efficiently handling various types of wirelessservices across multiple wireless access technologies is disclosed forWTRUs that may operate in different types of networks.

A method for operation by a wireless device may comprise transmitting arequest for capability information to a WTRU. In response, the wirelessdevice may receive the requested capability information from the WTRU.The capability information may include an indication of support forvideo conferencing and an indication of one or more supported messagingcapabilities. Based on the supported messaging capabilities, thewireless device may transmit a data message to the WTRU.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a WTRU logical block diagram embodying the principles of anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of steps involved in performing aregistration-based operation wherein a capability report is provided inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a timeline illustration of the procedure illustrated in FIG.2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of steps involved in performing anetwork-solicited operation wherein a capability report is provided inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a timeline illustration of the procedure illustrated in FIG.3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereafter, a WTRU includes, but is not limited to, a user equipment,mobile station, fixed or mobile subscriber unit, pager, PDA or any othertype of device capable of operating in a wireless environment. Whenreferred to hereafter, a base station includes but is not limited to aNode B, site controller, access point (AP) or any other type ofinterfacing device in a wireless environment.

FIG. 1 is a simplified logical block diagram of the layers provided in aWTRU 12, it being understood that a similar layered structure isprovided in the network. The objective is to convey the capabilities ofthe WTRU to the network so that the network can tailor the servicesprovided to the WTRU in accordance with the WTRU's capabilities. As anexample, devices such as a PDA, a laptop equipped with a wirelesscommunication card and a cell phone may all be capable of communicatingwith a WLAN, but each device has different capabilities. A laptoptypically has a larger memory and greater processing power than both aPDA and a cell phone. Different laptops may have different capabilities;one laptop being able to conduct video conferencing while another laptopbeing unable to support such services.

Referring to FIG. 2, a process for WTRU registration that includes thegeneration and transmittal of a capability report as shown, by combiningnotification of services supported by the WTRU with a registrationprocess, the network is then able to tailor the services provided to theWTRU communicating with the network. Each time a multi-WATs WTRU, alsoreferred to as a multi-technology WTRU (i.e., a WTRU capable ofoperating in more than one type of wireless network), successfullyregisters for service with an authentication, authorization andaccounting (AAA) server 16 of a 3GPP network 14 through WLAN accessnetwork 22, a WLAN application capability report is sent to the 3GPPnetwork 14 and preferably to the home subscriber server (HSS) 18.

With reference to FIG. 1, initially, the WTRU operating system 15, atstep (1), directs the registry application 13 to register the WTRU withthe network, for example, the WTRU registers with the 3GPP networkthrough a WLAN. At step (2), the registry application generates andsends a capability report based on either information from the operatingsystem 15 or applications module 17 of the WTRU to include WLANapplications that interact with the 3GPP network, such as short messageservice (SMS) and voice over IP (VoIP), as well as any other currentlysupported applications. Drivers, such as a 3GPP driver 19 a and WLANdevice driver 19 b, as well as other drivers 19 c, support the servicesobtained from the network. The layers 13, 17, 15 and associated driversare also provided in the network to support registry, receipt andstorage of the capability report and, subsequent thereto, to provide theservices identified in the capability report obtained from the WTRU.

The WLAN capability report is preferably a list of all supported airinterface (PHY) capabilities currently supported by the WTRU 12 (e.g.,802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11x, 802.16, 802.20, UMTS-FDD, UMTS-TDD, TDSCDMA,GPRS, CDMA2000, or any other type of wireless network).

The WLAN capability report preferably also includes a list of allsupported applications/services currently supported by the WTRU (e.g.,web browsing, email, SMS, VoIP, or any other type of wireless service).The list of supported services can be associated with certain PHYcapabilities (e.g., 802.11b card with MMS service capabilities). Thelist may also indicate third generation (3G) interworking such as 3GPPand/or 3GPP2 (e.g., GPRS/802.11 dual-mode cards supporting GPRS basedSMS services) and/or other services developed in the future for existingor future networks. Optionally, the lists can identify the type andcapacity of equipment of the WTRU, i.e. whether the WTRU is a cellphone, lap top computer, etc. with memory and processing speedcapacities. The information regarding the device capability may bestored in the device drivers illustrated in FIG. 1.

The SMS message is preferably sent from a 3GPP network to a WTRU on an802.11 network that is displayed to a user. The lists described aboveare preferably standardized.

The WLAN capability report is generated by a “thin” application programfor generating the capability report. The “thin” application program canbe on top of the operating system (e.g., like a Windows® program) and,being “thin,” does not require thousands of lines of code, but requiresonly several hundred lines of code. For example, the “thin” program isprovided in the WLAN/3GPP application registry (AR) 13 in the WTRU 12shown in FIG. 1, wherein the network registry queries the WTRU'soperating system 15 or the applications module 17, to determine the listof relevant applications.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the capability report is preferably sentencrypted from the end user WTRU (currently on a WLAN) through WLANaccess network 22 to the 3GPP AAA server 16, which forwards the reportto the 3GPP HSS/HLR 18/20. The report is preferably sent encrypted viatransmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) from the WTRU12 on the WLAN to the 3GPP AAA server 16, at step (2), and the 3GPP AAAserver 16 then preferably forwards the report to the HSS 18 as part ofthe WLAN registration process, at step (3). The HSS/HLR 18/20 sends anacknowledgement (ACK) to the AAA 16, at step (4) which sends an ACK toWTRU 12 through WLAN network 22, at step (5).

Thereafter, whenever the HSS/HLR 18/20 is queried for the location andcapability of the user, a relevant check is made to determine if theuser's WTRU supports that capability in the WLAN network.

Referring to the top portion of FIG. 2, WLAN access network 22communicates with 3GPP AAA server 16 through a Wr/Wb interface. HSS 18and HLR 20 communicate with 3GPP AAA server 16 through interfaces Wx andD′/Gr′, respectively.

As indicated in parentheses in FIG. 2, the system components and stepsinvolved in performing a registration based operation are preferably:

1. WTRU 12 generates WLAN application capability report.

2. WTRU 12 transmits report via WLAN 22 to 3GPP AAA 16.

3. 3GPP AAA 16 forwards report to HSS/HLR 18/20.

4. HSS/HLR 18/20 acknowledges the report to AAA 16.

5. 3GPP 14 acknowledges the report to the WTRU 12 via WLAN 22.

Thereafter, any 3GPP node that attempts to deliver service to the WTRUin the WLAN network will check if the WTRU supports the service in WLANmode.

The timing of these steps is shown and described in greater detail inFIG. 2A, wherein a capability report is created at step S1, the WTRU 12generating a WLAN application capability report and, at step S2,transmitting the report to the 3GPP AAA server 16 through WLAN 22 (shownin FIG. 2). The 3GPP AAA 16, at step S3, forwards the report to HSS 18and HSS 18, at step S4, stores the report and, at step S5, acknowledgesthe report, sending an acknowledgement (ACK) to AAA 16. AAA Server 16,at step S6, sends an ACK to WTRU 12 through WLAN access network 22.Then, any 3GPP node that delivers service to the WTRU 12 in the WLANnetwork can first determine if the WTRU supports the service whenoperating in WLAN mode, by accessing HSS 18.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the system components are the same as thoseshown in FIG. 2. The preferred steps involved in performing anetwork-solicited capability operation, as indicated in parentheses inFIG. 3, can be summarized as follows:

1. SMS message is sent from SC 24.

2. GMSC 26 queries HSS 18 about WTRU 12 location.

3. HSS 18 returns PDG/WAG 28 address.

4. GMSC 26 forwards SMS to PDG/WAG 28.

5. PDG/WAG 28 queries the WTRU 12 via WLAN 22 about SMS capabilities.

6. WTRU 12 lists all service capabilities and reports to PDG/WAG 28.

If successful, PDG/WAG 28 delivers SMS to WTRU 12 through WLAN 22.

Timing of these steps is shown in FIG. 3A wherein a capability reporthas not previously been provided. In this embodiment, a short messagesystem (SMS) message is sent from service center (SC) 24 to a gatewayMobile Switching Center (MSC) or an interworking MSC for SMS(GMSC/IWSMC) 26, at step S1, and responsive thereto, GMSC/IWSMC 26, atstep S2, queries HSS 18 about the WTRU location. The HSS 18, at step(3), provides a packet data gateway or a wireless application gateway(PDG/WAG) address to the GMSC/IWSMC 26 and the GMSC/IWSMC 26, at stepS4, forwards the SMS message to the PDG/WAG 28. The PDG/WAG 28, at stepS5, queries the WTRU 12 (through WLAN access network 22 shown in FIG. 3)about its SMS capabilities and WTRU 12, at step S6, and through WLANaccess network 22, lists all service capabilities and provides a reportto the PDG/WAG 28. Then, if successful, the PDG/WAG 28, at step S7,delivers SMS to WTRU 12. If not successful, the PDG/WAG 28 deniesservice, at step S7A.

It should be noted that although the present invention has beendescribed in connection with an interworking 3GPP and WLAN, it isimportant to note that the present invention may be implemented in alltypes of wireless communication systems and further in any combination.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless device configured for operation in acellular network, the wireless device comprising: a transmitterconfigured to transmit a request for capability information to awireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU); a receiver configured to receivecapability information in response to the request, from the WTRU,wherein the capability information includes an indication of support forvideo conferencing and an indication of one or more supported messagingcapabilities; and the transmitter configured to transmit a data messageto the WTRU, wherein the data message is formatted in accordance with aservice for which the capability information indicates support for;wherein the capability information is received before the data messageis transmitted and the data message is a first in time data message, ofthe service, sent by the wireless device to the WTRU.
 2. The wirelessdevice of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is a device of a cellularcore network.
 3. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the wirelessdevice is a gateway.
 4. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein thecapability information indicates a location querying capability.
 5. Thewireless device of claim 1 wherein the WTRU supports multiple wirelessaccess technologies including at least a wireless local area network(WLAN) technology and a cellular technology.
 6. The wireless device ofclaim 1, wherein the capability information indicates support for an802.11x WLAN technology.
 7. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein theWTRU supports messaging via an application program which runs on top ofan operating system of the WTRU.
 8. A method for operation by a wirelessdevice, the method comprising: transmitting a request for capabilityinformation to a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU); receiving thecapability information in response to the request, from the WTRU, in acapability report, wherein the capability information of the capabilityreport includes an indication of support for video conferencing and anindication of one or more supported messaging capabilities; transmittinga data message to the WTRU, after receiving the capability information,wherein the data message is formatted in accordance with the capabilityinformation.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the wireless device is adevice of a cellular core network.
 10. The method of claim 8, whereinthe wireless device is a gateway.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein thecapability information of the capability report indicates a locationquerying cap ability.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the WTRUsupports multiple wireless access technologies including at least awireless local area network (WLAN) technology and a cellular technology.13. The method of claim 8, wherein the capability information of thecapability report indicates support for an 802.11x WLAN technology. 14.The method of claim 8, wherein the WTRU supports messaging via anapplication program which runs on top of an operating system of theWTRU.
 15. A method for operation by a wireless device, the methodcomprising: receiving capability information from a wirelesstransmit/receive unit (WTRU), wherein the capability informationincludes an indication of support for video conferencing and anindication of one or more supported messaging capabilities; transmittinga data message to the WTRU, wherein the data message is formatted inaccordance with the capability information, wherein the capabilityinformation is received before the data message is transmitted; anddetermining, from the capability information, that the WTRU in incapableof participating in at least one service.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the wireless device is a device of a cellular core network. 17.The method of claim 15, wherein the wireless device is a gateway. 18.The method of claim 15, wherein the capability information indicates alocation querying capability.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein theWTRU supports multiple wireless access technologies including at least awireless local area network (WLAN) technology and a cellular technology.20. The method of claim 15, wherein the WTRU supports messaging via anapplication program which runs on top of an operating system of theWTRU.